Draft-equalizer.



l No. 644,260. Patented Feb. 27, |900.

E. RUHLFFS. e

DRAFT EQUALIZER.

, (Apphcatxon led Aug 25y 1899) I IQ Q I' .A l!!! """xrn PATEN rrr.

EMIL ROHLFFS, OF SPENCER., SOUTH DAKOTA.

DRAFT-EQUALIZER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 644,260,6.ated February 27, 1900.

Application led August 25, 1899. Serial No. 728,490. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL ROHLFFS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spencer, in the county of McCook and State of South Dakota, have invented a new and useful Draft-Equalizer, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to draft equalizers or eveners, and has for its object the production xo of a simple, durable, and highly-efficient device of this class which will equalize the draft of three or more horses harnessed abreast, but at different distances Vfrom the line of draft.

The object of my invention in its specific aspect is the provision of a novel set of frameirons by means of which the equalizer is constructed entirely of metal without the necessity for the employment of flexible strips and zo in which a single frame-iron'is made to sub- 3o numbers serve a number of independent purposes.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a plan view showing a portion of a wagon pole or tongue with my evener applied as in use and arranged for three horses, and Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of my novel frameiron.

Referring to the numerals of reference on the accompanying drawings, in which like designate corresponding parts throughout, 1 indicates the draft pole or tongue of a vehicle, upon which is bolted a frame-iron 2 of peculiar form. This iron comprises a slightly-elevated end 3, so formed for a purpose to be described.' A lateral V- shaped extension 4 extends to one side of the tongue, and the end opposite to the end 3 is passed across the tongue to the side opposite to the extension 4 and terminates in a loop or 4o eye 5, the frame-iron being bolted to the 5o slightly angular, as shown, and provided with a series of apertures 7, designed for the reception of a swivel-bolt 8, which passes through the elevated or raised end 3 of the iron and through the pole 1, upon the under side of which it is provided with a head, as usual.

9y indicates a draft-bar passed through the eye 5 of the frame-iron and provided at one end with a loop 10, and at its rear end is passed through an opening 11 in one end of the equalizing-lever 6, where it is secured by a cotter-key 12, the draft-bar being preferably curved somewhat to bring its greatest extent into proximity to the tongue.

13 indicates a bearing-bracket springing from one leg of the V-shaped extension 4, and between which and the opposite leg of the extension is swiveled by means of a bolt 14 the equalizing-bar 15, connected at the rear of its center by a link 16 with the end of the equalzing-lever 6 opposite the aperture 11.

17 indicates a doubletree connected to the draft-bar 9, and 18 indicates a singletree connected to the outer or free end of the equalizing-bar 15.

Inasmuch as this device operates upon a well-known principle, it is hardly necessary to enter into an extended discussion of the theory underlying the equalizing of the draft. It may be stated brieliy, however, that the differential leverage obtained by the combination of the equalizing-lever and the equalizing-arm and their connected parts permits a team of horses to be harnessed to the draftbar 9 and a single horse to exert pull upon the singletree 18 in a manner to equalize the eorts of the animals.

It may be well to note briefly the utility of the specific construction of the frame-iron 2. This element is arranged to support the entire draft device and the equalizer therefor upon the tongue of the vehicle, the several elements being supported and guided exclusively by this iron-that is to say, the equalizing-lever is mounted in the recess formed by the elevated extremity 3, the draft-bar is mounted and exclusively supported by the transverse extension 4 through the medium of the bracket 13, likewise carried by the frame-iron, and the forward extension of the draft-bar 9 is passed through, supported, and guided by the loop 5 at the end of this frameiron, which is designed to be connected to the tongue by bolts, as stated, and to be additionally braced and securely retained against IOO the Weight of the somewhat-heavy equalizerbar by a drop-brace 19, connected at one end to the under side of the V-shaped extension 4 and provided with a terminal opening 20, located below the tongue and designed to receive one of the securing-bolts. I do not desire to limit myself, however, to the structural details defined, but reserve to myself the right to change, modify, and vary them at will within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is l. In a draft-equalizer, the combination with a support, of an equaliZing-lever, an equalizing-bar fulcrumed at one end to the support and at one side of the central line of draft, which latter passes through the fulcrum of the equalizing-lever, a link connecting one end of the lever with an intermediate point of the equalizing-bar, and a draftbar connected to the opposite end of the equalizing-lever, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a draft-equalizer, the combination with a support, of a frame-iron having its ends angularly related and terminating at its opposite extremities in a raised portion and a guide-loop and formed with a transverse V- shaped extension, a draft-equalizing lever adjustably fulcrumed under the raised end of the frame-iron, an equalizing-bar terminally fulcrumed upon the V-shaped extension of the frame-iron, a link connecting the equaliz ing-bar at its middle with one end of the equalizing-lever, and a draft-bar pivotally connected to the opposite end ofthe equalizing-lever and extending through the terminal eye of the frame-iron, substantially as specitied.

3. As an element of an equalizing device, a substantially V-shaped fra1ne,having one side longer than the other, and terminating in an eye, the ou ter end of the opposite shorter side having an outwardly and transversely disposed extension, provided with an oifset or substantially I --shaped terminal, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a draftequalizer, the combination with asupporting-frame, of an equalizing-lel ver carried by the frame and located intermediate of the opposite ends thereof, an equalizing-bar pivoted to the frame and at one side of the lever, a draft-bar carried by the frame and located at the opposite side of the lever, and connecting means carried eX- clusively by the frame, and operatively con necting the equalizng-lever with the draftbar and the equalizing-bar, respectively, said frame being designed for application to the tongue of a vehicle, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

EMIL ROHLFFS. lVitnesses:

C. F. WINKEL, O. C. LINDEKUGEL. 

